Sauternes - The vineyards

Sauternes, the highly prestigious sweet white
wine, is produced 40 km upstream of Bordeaux in a region nestling
between
the left bank of the Garonne river and the immense Landes forest. This
noble area of about 2,200 hectares is divided among the villages of
Sauternes, Bommes, Fargues, Preignac and Barsac. Although they can all
properly claim the famous Sauternes appellation, producers in Barsac
can choose between the Sauternes A.O.C. and its sister appellation,
Barsac A.O.C.

The 27 Sauternes and Barsac "Grands crus", as
classified at the 1855 Universal Exhibition in Paris, are the region's
finest wines. For 140 years their successive owners, conscious of their
responsabilities, have skilfully perfected these legendary, yet
unpredictable elixirs. Their fine qualities may be appreciated
unaccompanied, or with food, producing some of the most surprising
combinations.